One-in-400-years lunar eclipse takes place - above thick cloud

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A total eclipse of the moon today coincided with the winter solstice for the first time since 1638Patrick Pleul/EPA

Sadie Gray

Last updated at 10:42AM, December 21 2010

Above the snow-laden cloud blanketing much of Britain, a once-in-400-years
event took place early this morning: a total eclipse of the moon on the
winter solstice.

The phenomenon lasted for three and a half hours, starting at 6.33am. The
phase of total eclipse, when the sun, Earth and moon are perfectly aligned,
lasted from 7.41am to 8.53am.

The best view in the UK was supposed to be from southern counties, with the
moon dropping into the western sky as dawn approached. In the event, anyone
braving the sub-zero temperatures to take a look would have seen little
except thick cloud.